ONE of the most prominent and controversial figures in tennis in North Wales, Horace Northcott, has died at his home in Prestatyn at the age of 90.

Following service in the Army where he attained the rank of major, he moved to Prestatyn to become a leading tennis administrator, most notably representing Wales on the LTA London-Welsh, tennis's highest position.

He also served on both the Welsh LTA and North Wales LTA as well as being chairman and president of Flintshire LTA.

He was a leading personality in the Prestatyn club at Gronant Road, where he was president from 1971 for more than 10 years.

Previously he was chairman and organiser of the former Bryntirion club in Prestatyn until it closed down in the 1950s.

A county player himself, specialising in doubles, he also provided North Wales men's team with two talented players in his son John and grandson Darren.

His funeral is to take place at St Melyd Church, Meliden, on Thursday at 12.15pm.

The current chairman of Prestatyn tennis club Alan Goodall, who has followed Northcott on to the Welsh LTA executive, now renamed Tennis Wales, said: "He will certainly be missed by many as a genuine character with strong views, which he was never afraid to express in a forthright manner. His passing marks the end of an era."